Distance Education

There are no accredited entry-level occupational therapy or occupational therapy assistant educational programs that are offered in the online format. Some educational programs may offer some courses or parts of courses online, but there are no entry-level educational programs offered entirely online.

Occupational Therapy Aide Programs

Prospective students should be aware that occupational therapy aide programs are not eligible for accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) and a graduate of an occupational therapy aide program is not eligible to sit for the national exam to become certified as an occupational therapy assistant.

Occupational therapy aides are able to provide supportive services to the occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant. To become an occupational therapy assistant, an individual would need to graduate from an ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy assistant program, pass the national certification exam administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, and attain licensure as required by the state.